Sept. 3– The Tennessee Department of Transportation is once again halting all lane closure activity on interstates and state highways for the busy Labor Day holiday travel period.

More than 600,000 Tennesseans are expected to travel by car this holiday.

Construction crews will stop all lane closure activity beginning at noon today through 6 a.m. Tuesday.

"As thousands of people hit the road in Tennessee, we want to ensure they get to their destinations quickly and safely without road construction delays," said TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely.

While lane closure activity will be stopped, workers will still be on site in many construction zones.

Sept. 2– The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation reported today that continuing surveys of Beech Creek in Wayne County have not documented mercury outside of the area near Leatherwood where it was originally discovered.

This finding is based on sampling of mercury levels in sediment, fish, water from the creek and residential water supplies. The sampling results provide the basis for modifying the advisory issued on Aug. 13.

"Because mercury tends to concentrate in fish and sediment rather than in the water, these samples were important in identifying the true extent of mercury in Beech Creek," said Environment and Conservation Deputy Commissioner Paul Sloan.

"While it doesn’t minimize the concern that mercury was discovered in one area, it is good news to find out that mercury levels were low elsewhere in the stream," he said.

Because mercury has only been found in high concentrations near the community of Leatherwood, people should continue to avoid contact with Beech Creek sediment in that area between the mouth of Leatherwood Branch and Smith Branch.

Other areas both upstream and downstream of this impact area are considered safe for contact, according to TDEC.

The fish consumption advisory, however, remains in effect for all of Beech Creek and the embayment until further analysis is complete.